Home owner prosecuted for neglecting empty property

A HOME owner has been prosecuted for neglecting his empty property in Warwick.

David Brown, of Northumberland Court in Leamington, was convicted of failing to comply with a notice service on him by Warwick District Council.

The property he owns on Avon Street has sat empty for 14 years and fallen into disrepair.

A neighbour complained to the council which sent environmental health officers to inspect the house. They found Mr Brown had failed to maintain or repair the exterior guttering which left the neighbouring property vulnerable to penetrating damp.

Last August the council served abatement notices requiring him to repair or renew the guttering within 28 days. He failed to comply despite being given a reminder.

Mr Brown was prosecuted at Warwickshire Magistrates Court for the contravention of the abatement notice and failure to make the necessary repair to the property.

He received a total fine of £660 and the council is currently looking at how to bring the property back into use.

District housing spokesman Coun Peter Phillips said: “The council will take enforcement action where empty property owners are unresponsive, neglect their properties and have no plan of action to return them to use, particularly where they impact on neighbouring properties and have been sitting empty for a number of years.’’

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